The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1887-10-27

stances are studied in. their proper rela-
| ton to the work of the farmer.
How to get the best results from COM
posting is carefully looked into. A large
amount Of money each year is simply
thrown away from pure ignorance in not
knowing what the plant requires, in the
use of commercial fertilizers
| The study of all that is mentioned
above, and much that will follow, leads
to the direct study Of agriculture.
Agriculture is taught on the hillside, in
| the valley, on worn-out lands, in ditching
and terracing, in plowing and sowing, in
cultivating, in harvesting and in storing
or selling .... .. .-.-.s...
The students work with their hands,
and along with this work they receive
the most careful instruction pertaining to
the entire subject. This department also
includes care Of cattle, together with
work in the dairy In Mississippi, as
also in Michigan, the cattle departments
were brought to a<paying standpoint
sooner than any other.
In the Agricultural College Of Missis-
sippi saw gangs of boys ditching; others
feeding cattle and stock with others were
Engaged in various ways.
Horticulture is taught in like practical
MANNER 1t is presumed that the student
is somewhat prepared in other studies be-
fore commencing this one. 1t has been
found that here, practice should 60 before
theory, so the student is first taught in
the field, then in the classroom.
In preparation, planting, cultivation, in
pruning, grating, budding, in picking,
packing and marketing, the student re-
ceives the most careful attention. Then,
in the classroom, these studies are fol-
lowed up by lectures and experiments,
enforcing reasons for everything.
Botany includes the study of grasses,
forage plants, diseases Of plants, &C., &c.
Prof Phares, of the Mississippi college,
is recognized authority on grasses over
large part of the country, so is Prof.
Beal, of the Michigan College, and their
work has been of the greatest assistance
to the farmers of the country.
Zoology iEcludes full course in ento-
mology; studies concerning the insect
pests which annually do so much damage
to the farmer and the horticulturist, also
remedies for the same.
1t may not be within our means, for
the next few years, to establish depart
ment of veterinary surgery, nor am sure
that it will be needed until some neces-
sity arises for the same. In many States
such department is real necessity, be-
cause of the great interests involved, and
because of the prevalence of diseases
among the cattle Of those States
The Mechanical Department will be Of
the greatest possible use, not only to the
farmer, but to the large class in our State
who practice the. mechanic arts.
1t is our intention to develop the agri-
cultural feature of the college first. This
is due to the farmers of North Carolina,
who have such large proportion Of the
income of the college. Fortunately, we
can work on the other feature by de-
grees. A substantial brick building is
now being planned and work will be COM
menced as soon as possible. The build
ing will be known as Agricultural Hall.
I have examined number Of similar
institutions in various parts Of the country
in connection, with Mr.. Henry E. Fries and
DR.. Dabney This trip of inspection was
made at the request Of the Governor, and
afforded us good opportunity to inves-
The Jews taught each boy a trade or
CdlllllS " ucu IcullCcu W VIC ucCcSSlIy,
Paul the Apostle worked at his trade
Peter the Great, Of Russia, laid aside his
imperial robes and worked in the ship
yards of Holland and thereby knew how
to stimulate the industries of his own
country, commencing Russia on a new
road to prosperity and greatness.
In our Institution the boy will be taught,
not single trade, but the principles which
underlie number of the most important
avocations Of mankind.
Some Of the best thinkers Of this and
other countries have acknowledged the
Importance of such training, and institu-
tions of the kind are being established in
many States Of the Union.
If any State needs such special training
it is assuredly North Carolina. We have
the greatest diversity of almost everything,
and need practical, intelligent working
men to aid in the development Of these
resources.
I consider that the Legislature has con-
ferred a great boon on the people of the
State in the establishment Of such an in
stitution.
One hundred and twenty boys viii be
admitted free, so far as tuition fees are
concerned These boys will be appointed
to the different counties, in the same ratio
as the members of the House Of Repre-
sentatives are appointed The faculty
have the right to receive other students